45 Colt Ballistics Chart And Cartridge Guide

45 Colt Handgun Ballistics:

This 45 Colt Ballistics Chart shows 225 grain Hornady FTX:

45 Colt Rifle Ballistics

This 45 Colt Rifle Ballistics Chart shows 250 grain Federal Premium HammerDown rounds designed in cooperation with Henry:

45 Colt History:

The 45 Colt (or long Colt if you prefer) was first introduced in 1873 and was turned into the military cartridge in 1875 with the Single Action Army revolver.

The cartridge itself was developed by Colt and the Union Metallic Cartridge Company and was originally made as a black powder round.

For decades the 45 Colt would be the most powerful handgun cartridge and helped to pave the way to what we now know as modern ammunition.

The 45 Colt would eventually give birth to new cartridges, like the powerful 454 Casull.

45 Colt Uses:

Today the 45 Colt is used for both hunting and defensive purposes, and is excellent for both.

The 45 Colt, not to be confused with 45 ACP, is a true dual purpose cartridge that can be used for hunting animals up to white tail deer in size with the right loading.

Continuing its dual purpose nature, it’s both a revolver and lever action round. And as seen above in the 45 Colt rifle ballistics chart, the longer the barrel the better the performance.

Longer barrels absolutely push the ballistics of the 45 Colt.

45 Colt Guns:

There are plenty of guns available for purchase dating all the way back to 1873, to modern replicas of those guns, to other modern guns chambered in them like the above mentioned Henry Repeater, and Taurus Judge.

Smith & Wesson still makes their Model 25 and Ruger still has a few offerings in their Blackhawk Convertible.

And there are even more guns that I’m not mentioning.

45 Colt Ammo Choices:

There are plenty of ammunition choices from the major and minor ammo manufacturers:

• Hornady
• Federal
• Winchester
• Remington
• Buffalo Bore
• Grizzly Cartridge
• Underwood
• Etc.

Conclusion:

The 45 Colt is a great choice for a dual purpose cartridge that can be used for hunting and defense. Next, check out the page where we list all of the handgun ballistics for most of the available calibers.